Violence Escalates in Jhenaidah-4 Race

A fresh wave of violence has shaken the electoral contest in Jhenaidah-4, where the campaign office of independent candidate Saiful Islam Firoz has been attacked again, leaving six people injured and intensifying fears over the integrity of the forthcoming parliamentary election.

According to local sources, the latest incident occurred on Saturday evening, 7 February, at Naldanga Bazar in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. A group of unidentified assailants reportedly stormed the election office of Saiful Islam Firoz—who is contesting under the “cup and saucer” symbol—vandalising furniture and assaulting campaign workers present at the scene. Several supporters were beaten, resulting in injuries that required local medical treatment.

Those injured were identified as former Union Parishad member of Ward No. 5, Wajjed Hossain; his two sons, Badsha and Ahad; Shamim, son of Razzak from Kharashuni village; and Jony, son of Aynal from Shrimantapur village. Although none of the injuries were reported to be life-threatening, the repeated nature of such attacks has fuelled anxiety among residents and campaigners alike.

This was not an isolated incident. On the night of 5 February, at around 8:30 pm, another attack was carried out on an election office belonging to the same independent candidate in Nishchintapur area of Kaliganj town. During that incident, tables and chairs were smashed and three motorcycles were vandalised. The recovery of objects resembling crude explosives from the scene triggered widespread panic in the neighbourhood.

Later that same night, a separate campaign office in Helai village of the municipal area was attacked by a group of around eight men, who damaged chairs before fleeing the scene on motorcycles. A day earlier, on 4 February, a supporter’s business establishment in Pukuria village was also targeted, leaving two people injured. Residents allege that threats and intimidation have become almost a daily occurrence across the constituency.

Summary of Reported Incidents

Speaking to reporters, Saiful Islam Firoz said his supporters were showing “remarkable restraint” despite ongoing provocation. He warned that unless the administration took swift and effective action, the environment for a free and fair election would be “severely compromised”. As polling day draws nearer, he claimed, the level of intimidation against him has continued to rise, raising serious questions about the role of law enforcement.

Meanwhile, BNP-backed candidate Rashed Khan, contesting under the “sheaf of paddy” symbol, rejected the allegations outright. He insisted that neither he nor his supporters were involved, alleging instead that the independent candidate’s own followers were staging attacks to shift blame.

Kaliganj Police Station officer-in-charge Jellal Hossain confirmed that police had visited the scene following the Naldanga incident. He said efforts were under way to identify those responsible and assured that legal action would be taken against anyone found to be involved.

As tensions mount, voters and civil society observers are increasingly calling for stronger security measures to ensure a peaceful and credible election in Jhenaidah-4.